Linda Ronstadt Endorses Kamala Harris Amid Criticism of Donald Trump’s Tucson Rally
Legendary singer Linda Ronstadt, known for her powerful voice and diverse musical contributions, recently made headlines for publicly endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Her endorsement came on the heels of Donald Trump’s rally in Tucson, Arizona, at a music hall named after her. Ronstadt, a Tucson native, used this moment to express her disdain for Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on immigration, women, and minorities, and reiterated her support for Harris.
In this article, we’ll delve into Ronstadt’s strong opposition to Trump’s scheduled rally, her endorsement of Kamala Harris, and how the former president’s policies have left an indelible mark on the American political landscape.
Linda Ronstadt’s Endorsement of Kamala Harris: A Statement of Principle
Linda Ronstadt, an 11-time Grammy-winning singer, took a stand against former President Donald Trump when he scheduled a rally at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall in her hometown of Tucson. Despite initially wanting to ignore the event, Ronstadt felt compelled to speak out, particularly given her deep-rooted connection to Tucson, a city with rich Mexican-American heritage.
Her statement, which was posted on Instagram, was pointed and direct. “Donald Trump is holding a rally on Thursday in a rented hall in my hometown, Tucson. I would prefer to ignore that sad fact. But since the building has my name on it, I need to say something,” she wrote. Ronstadt highlighted Trump’s “toxic politics,” and went on to express her strong objections to his treatment of women, immigrants, and people of color.
Criticism of Trump’s Immigration Policies
One of the most heart-wrenching issues Linda Ronstadt brought up in her statement was Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his administration’s practice of separating migrant families at the southern border. Ronstadt was especially critical of the former president’s policy of family separation, which tore apart families seeking asylum and left thousands of children without their parents. She cited Physicians for Human Rights, which called the policy a form of “torture.”
“For me, it comes down to this: In Nogales and across the southern border, the Trump Administration systematically ripped apart migrant families seeking asylum,” Ronstadt wrote. “It remains a humanitarian catastrophe that Physicians for Human Rights said met the criteria for torture.”
Ronstadt’s condemnation of Trump’s immigration policies reflects a broader criticism of his administration’s approach to border control. For many, Trump’s tough stance on immigration—starting with his 2016 campaign rhetoric about Mexico “sending rapists” to the U.S.—left a lasting scar on American politics, particularly for communities with deep immigrant roots like Tucson.
Trump’s Controversial Rally in Tucson
The timing and location of Trump’s rally in Tucson seemed to have struck a nerve with Ronstadt, who lamented the fact that her hometown would host an event promoting what she called a “hate show.” Tucson is a city known for its vibrant, diverse culture, largely shaped by its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. Ronstadt’s connection to this community made Trump’s rally at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall particularly personal.
In her statement, Ronstadt made it clear that Trump’s political stance was unwelcome in a town with “deep Mexican-American roots and a joyful, tolerant spirit.” She voiced her deep sorrow that the former president would use her namesake venue to spread a message she found repugnant, adding that she could not simply ignore his presence there.
Linda Ronstadt’s Sharp Rebuke of Trump’s Politics
Ronstadt didn’t mince words when addressing the former president directly. “It saddens me to see the former President bring his hate show to Tucson,” she wrote. She went on to denounce Trump’s platform, listing his “hatred of women, immigrants, and people of color, his criminality, dishonesty, and ignorance.”
This is not the first time Ronstadt has been openly critical of Trump. She has been a vocal advocate for human rights and has previously called out Trump’s treatment of marginalized communities. Her endorsement of Kamala Harris aligns with her longstanding activism, making it clear that she sees Harris as a candidate who will fight for the rights of those Trump has maligned.
Endorsement of Kamala Harris and Support for Tim Walz
Ronstadt closed her message by expressing her support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who is running for vice president alongside Harris. She emphasized her pride in voting for the Democratic ticket, making it clear that she believes Harris is the right candidate to lead the country in a more positive direction.
“Call me what you want, but this cat lady will be voting proudly in November for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” she wrote, referencing a previous comment made by J.D. Vance about childless women.
Celebrity Support for Kamala Harris
Linda Ronstadt isn’t the only celebrity who has thrown her support behind Kamala Harris. In the days following the Harris-Trump debate, Taylor Swift also voiced her endorsement of the vice president. Swift, a vocal advocate for women’s rights and social justice issues, shared her support for Harris on Instagram, joining Ronstadt in calling out Trump’s harmful policies.
Swift, like Ronstadt, has been an outspoken critic of Trump, and her endorsement signals a growing trend of high-profile figures backing Harris as the 2024 election approaches. These endorsements are likely to bolster Harris’ support, particularly among younger voters and those in the entertainment industry who have been critical of Trump’s administration.
